Posted: February 16, 2004

Triathlon: Up Close with Timo Bracht (GER)

French triathlon public relations expert and journalist Guy Hemmerlin, of Endurance Media Concept, SLHCommunications, Inc.’s French partner agency, recently spent time with Timo Bracht, Germany’s neo-pro star and 2003 winner of Ironman France (8:33:11) and Ironman Florida (8:30:29). Bracht, 28, of Heidelberg, reflects on last season and talks about what lies ahead in 2004.

Congratulations, Timo on your magnificent season 2003 with two magnificent Ironman victories. How do you reflect on it?

Of course it was my best season ever. In June, a dream came true. I won my first Ironman at Lake Gerardmer. Then, after a great summer season with a lot of victories at short- and middle-distance races, I decided to become a full-time professional triathlete in 2004. So, the DQ in Hawaii was really a bad thing for me, (but) few weeks later I fought back and won my second Ironman in Florida.

In Hawaii, you were given a red card, while you were riding in the lead group. You realized a beautiful race, but it was suddenly stopped.

The Ironman Hawaii is really one of the hardest races in the world, especially for me. I’ll be waiting for a great race there. The new drafting rule (stagger) was not so easy to handle in the race, and for me it was very difficult in this lead group with Reid, Deboom, Zäck and other great guys. So after it all, I’m looking forward to 2004 and now I know a lot of more things about the race in Kona.

Which are your objectives in 2004?

My schedule is: March 21st, Half-IM South Africa; June 13th, Kohler Haardman, in Germany; July 4th, Quelle Challenge Roth, and then Ironman Hawaii. I will do five to seven other short-distance triathlons in the summer season.

You are going to Roth. Is it the first time that you’ll participate in this race?

No, in 2000, I finished my first Ironman (ever) in Roth. In 2001, I finished 12th overall as an age-grouper with (an) 8:45.

Why Roth now that you are a world-class professional with Ironman wins?

Roth is the beginning of popular triathlon in Europe. I was there since 1997 as a spectator. The race is very popular in Germany. The whole concept is very serious for my sponsors and I will get a lot of promotion before, during and after the race.

After a sprint finish between two of the world’s toughest warriors, two Ironman champions, in 2003, the competition will be high this year. Will fans see a sprint with three champions?

Last year the battle between McCormack and Leder was very important for the sport. I was at the finish line and saw the sprint. Congratulations to Lothar and Chris. I’ll try to do my best in training (over) the next months, and then we will see.

A lot of international athletes new to Roth are going to participate this year. What do you wish them?

A great race, and a lot of fun and goose bumps when you ride the “Solarer Berg” in Hilpoltstein. We will see them at the finish line.

Quelle Challenge Roth’s sponsors include: Quelle AG, Deutsche Post AG, N-ERGIE, DB Regio, Phillips, Erdinger Alkoholfrei, Arndt, PowerBar, ADAC, Sparkasse Mittelfranken-Süd, County of Roth, City of Roth, City of Hilpolstein, Coca-Cola, Frankenbrunnen, Zeus Copy, Paladin, Hofmann, Jura Kälte, Lorenz & Partner, CarbonSports GmbH, INKO Energy, Flor & Sohn, Spedition Heinloth, and Biestmilch.com.

For more information on the July 4, 2004, Quelle Challenge Roth and Triathlon Festival, or to participate in the on-line forum, and to receive the event’s newsletter, please visit www.challenge-roth.com.